Our solutions
Through various initiatives, led by a large team of people from different disciplines, we aim to boost the circular performance of vinyl. We call these projects ‘Greensteps’, because each project is one step closer to our net-zero goal.
Innovation projects are focusing on reducing the consumption of virgin fossil-based materials by maximizing the share of renewable or recycled content in our products. Or, if that is not possible, to purchase only low-carbon raw materials in order to minimize our environmental impact.
Alone, you can only do so much. Every company has restricted expertise, know-how and experience in certain domains, while resources can’t be targeted to do everything at once. So, we continuously collaborate with other companies, recyclers, sectoral organizations, universities, etc. to achieve more.
Discover some of our key cooperations:
By 2030 we want all our products to be 100% recyclable. Today, Beauflor cushion vinyl with foam backing is already 100% recyclable and can be used to make new products. Our products with a textile backing however, still need some work. The recycled material of these textile-backed products is not yet reusable into new products. Our innovation team is working hard on finding the right solution to make our these also 100% recyclable.
Crafted from PVC derived from 100% biocircular attributed resources, Twilight not only delivers stunning aesthetics but also champions environmental sustainability with a remarkable 40% reduction in CO2 emissions* compared to our similar products. Embracing our commitment to healthier indoor environments, Twilight features low VOC lacquer and antibacterial properties, ensuring a space that prioritizes well-being. Keeping its reuse or recyclability in mind, Twilight was designed to be installed adhesive-free.
Start with the basics. To help our clients understand the environmental and health impact of our products, we created an Environmental Data Sheet for each and every one of them. But don’t trust our word for it. Check out the EPD’s (Environmental Product Declarations) available for every single one of our products. These EPD’s give you third-party verified environmental information such as the carbon footprint of our products. They help you make the conscious and environmentally friendly choice when buying a new floor.
A vinyl floor is not only very durable, but also perfectly recyclable. Did you know that PVC can be recycled repeatedly up to 8 times (source: Vinyl+), without compromising on quality? However, upon recycling, it is important to avoid other materials like glue or pieces of subfloor. That is why we design our products with circularity in mind and focus on adhesive-free installation.
Today, almost 70% of our collections can be installed adhesive-free.
Optimizing our product range for adhesive-free installation does not only enhance the recyclability, it has other advantages as well:
As part of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan, Beaulieu International Group (B.I.G.) collaborated with industry partners RENOLIT and Sioen to explore the potential of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) in the PVC sector. The initiative was supported by VinylPlus, the European PVC industry association. Want to read more about our DPP's (FLEX-ID)? Click the button to read the full article on our B.I.G. site.
Project LOOP is a collaborative initiative that brings together the entire vinyl flooring sector, driven by a shared commitment to innovation and long-term sustainability. In partnership with fellow PVC flooring manufacturers and under the leadership of our industry association ERFMI, the project focuses on developing and testing advanced systems for the collection, sorting, and recycling of post-consumer vinyl flooring at an industrial scale.
Historically, vinyl flooring has been considered difficult to recycle, partly due to the potential presence of legacy additives that are no longer permitted in new products. By working collectively, we aim to overcome this challenge, reduce environmental impact, and move towards fully circular vinyl floorcoverings.
Belgium has been selected as the pilot market, where the first dedicated sorting facility will be established. As a key Belgian player in the vinyl flooring industry, Beauflor actively contributes to Project LOOP. Leveraging our product expertise, we are committed to helping develop effective sorting and recycling solutions for post-use vinyl flooring.
Flexible vinyl is a particularly strong type of material, few other materials are as versatile, durable, reliable and yet as flexible. However, it has been proven difficult to incorporate recycled content in flexible vinyl applications. That's why the DISSOLV project was initiated. This project aims to increase recycled components in flexible vinyl applications by replacing some of its virgin components, such as PVC resin, polyester fibers, fillers, and plasticizers, with recycled materials. Want to read more about DISSOLV? Click the button to read the full article on our B.I.G. site.
